They’re Back! | jhitchen
Good morning, neighbors,
It's been an incredibly busy two weeks since I sent my last newsletter, and I'm just wrapping up the Week Without Driving. Before I get into that, I want to start this newsletter with an exciting announcement: we are seeing salmon in creeks in District 6 and other parts of Pierce County for the first time in quite a while!
I recently learned that we are seeing salmon farther up several of our creeks and streams. One example is recent images of spawning salmon in Ponce de Leon Creek in Lakewood.
Washington State and the West Coast have been known for their salmon runs. Long before we had email, or even snail mail, there were stories of salmon. In the traditions and histories shared by Indigenous communities, salmon were central to their culture, and entire nations would move across the state to gather, fish together, and share the bounty.
Salmon Return
Water from Steilacoom Lake flows through a fish ladder that salmon use to continue their migration into the Lake. Photo credit: Al Schmauder
Three salmon swim through rippling water over a bed of rounded gravel, with green plants and moss-covered rocks. Photo credit: Al Schmauder
Chinook salmon try to get over the 100-year-old Chambers Creek Dam, which blocks passage to Chambers Creek. Photo credit: Al Schmauder
As a county and state, we have continued to invest in restoring pathways, cleaning up waterways, and reducing barriers so salmon can return to their spawning grounds. The Pierce County Conservation District continues to invest time and resources in educating young people through the Raising Salmon programs it runs with local schools, and in supporting learning and volunteering opportunities for adults.
If you live near a stream, creek, or lake in Pierce County, please do your part to care for the waterways. Simple choices you make about how you care for your yard and the plants you choose can have huge impacts nearby and downstream. We all benefit from caring for this natural resource, and seeing salmon return shows our efforts are working, but we are not done yet.
When salmon swim upstream to spawn, they are not easy pickings. This is not a time to grab a net or a fishing line; in fact, streams are closed to fishing during this time. The salmon season in our state is closely monitored and was open from July 16th to August 31st. So, leave them be. If you find one struggling, let it struggle. If you find a dead one, leave it to be part of the natural ecosystem. This is all exciting news, and I am happy to share this update!
However, fishing seasons may differ if you're a member of a Tribe. In Pierce County, for example, the Puyallup and Nisqually tribes, whose fishing rights come from the 1854 Medicine Creek Treaty, set their own salmon seasons on the Puyallup and Nisqually rivers with the state, so tribal fishing can stay open after the sport season closes.
These salmon found Ponce de Leon Creek an ideal place to lay their eggs and end their 1,500-mile trip from Alaska. Creekside landowners were elated! Photo credit: Al Schmauder
Week Without Driving
I have participated in this event every year since being in office, and each year I learn something new. This year, it ran from October 1st to the 8th, and my first day started with a challenge. I had an in-person meeting and didn't check the location against the transit map, since it was scheduled somewhere in Tacoma. Between the light rail and the many buses, I assumed I could make it work or just walk. I was very wrong and had to quickly reach out to change it to a virtual meeting.
Over the weekend, events made it impossible to attend and participate in a meaningful way. The 3 2 1 Buddy Walk was held at Franklin Pierce High School, and right on a bus line, but I had to leave that event to head out to the new Bethel High School for A B C Day, and there was no bus service out that way.
I had a few options:
I could have chosen not to attend one or both.
I could have taken the bus to Franklin Pierce and then driven to Bethel, showing up late for the 2nd event.
I could have tried to arrange for a ride-share, taxi, or carpool, but no one else was doing both in the same sequence.
I could have used the bus for both and then tried my hand at riding my bike along SR-7 and 224th Street (and as a novice bike rider, that didn’t seem like a great idea).
I could drive to both myself.
I went with option 5 for so many reasons, but the reason I bring this up is that I HAD OPTIONS. For those who depend on transit every day, they must balance work, childcare, shopping, medical appointments, and yes, even fun around a transit schedule. And that is assuming they live in an area that has transit. Every time this week I had to move anywhere, I thought about what would happen if I didn’t have options and what would change.
I know for certain I could not do my job as an elected official for this community the way I do now if I were 100% reliant on transit. I wouldn’t be able to attend events and functions in the community later in the evening or on weekends. I would have to pick and choose more carefully what I attend and potentially would always be late or early.
I love that we have transit, and I know there is a lot of conversation around it right now. The point of the Week Without Driving is that, as a policymaker, at least one quarter of my constituents depend on transit. They cannot drive or do not drive, but they deserve to be part of my thinking process when I plan or make decisions. Participating in this event annually reminds me about that constituency. Reminds me that young people, seniors, people with disabilities, and people who can’t afford a car deserve to have access to jobs, healthcare, education, and life.
Our system isn’t perfect, but for some in our county, there is no transit. Thinking about the county as a whole and how we grow, how we adapt, and how we improve things is front and center when I try to live a Week Without Driving.
Community Connections
Halloween Hullabaloo: Friday, October 16, from 6 to 8 p.m., fun for the whole family. Registration and ticket purchase are required, and proceeds support local nonprofits doing work in DuPont and Steilacoom. The event is at the Steilacoom Community Center, and tickets will not be sold at the door.
District 6 Library Events: Pierce County Library events and classes at the Anderson Island, DuPont, Lakewood, Parkland/Spanaway, Steilacoom, Tillicum, and Virtual libraries.
Two events in Parkland:
Green Tacoma Day at the Sprinker Recreation Center on Oct. 10
Pierce County Tree Share on Oct. 24
Explore and Restore: Saturday, Oct. 10 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Sprinker Recreation Center. Join for a guided walk and a practical way to learn about our ecosystem. Attendees can take a free tree home, along with guidance on how to plant and care for it.
Truck & Tractor Days: Saturday, Oct. 17, from 12 to 3 p.m. at Fort Steilacoom Park. Bring the whole family to explore fall games and crafts, plus the chance to climb on dozens of giant trucks and tractors.
Virtual United Way Listening Session: Monday, Oct. 19 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. The United Way of Pierce County is hosting a virtual listening session to hear from community members about their needs, the barriers they face, and how to improve the work they do.
It can be a wonderful time of year as leaves turn and the days grow shorter. It can also be a challenging time for families, especially right now as costs continue to climb. In addition, it's the start of the flu season, and the upcoming winter Yuletide begins to fill calendar space. The increased stress on you, your family, and your community can become too much.
Many people in our community are eligible for support, like energy assistance, but don't apply. We have community members who might be struggling with isolation or depression; you can reach out to 9 8 8 for help. If you have capacity to help a neighbor or give to an organization, that is amazing. But remember to pause and take a little time for yourself.
Those who know me are well aware of the irony, since taking time can be a personal challenge for me. I try to take walks every day, listen to a good book, or play in the yard. Giving back to the community doesn’t mean you don’t take care of yourself; it means finding a balance.
I hope you all are taking care of yourselves and your families.
Take care,